We’ve never been particularly big fans of Phil Bardsley, the former Manchester United youngster who finally joined Sunderland back in 2008 after leaving the Red Devils, before joining Stoke City three years ago.
Phil will become a free agent at the end of June and since he’s available, Newcastle United have been linked with him – we seem to be linked with almost every p[layer available – as usual.
The Mail is even reporting that a number of Premier League clubs are interested in the services of Phil, who turns 32 next month
Phil Bardsley – 31 year-old free agent in June
We wonder if he’s good enough for Rafa to be interested?
At the moment we have both DeAndre Yedlin and Vurnon Anita for the right back position but Rafa may bring in another right back and the future of Vurnon is still unclear with his contract running out at the end of June.
It looks like Rafa will not be picking up the option on Christian Atsu so that tells us he wants to bring in only top players in this summer.
After all Christian was unable to nail down a starting position in front of Yoan Gouffran who may also be leaving the club this summer when his contract runs out.
We know Rafa wants some Premier League experience in the squad and maybe Bardsley, who has made 245 appearances in England’s top flight, could be brought in as a squad player, who could do the job when required.
But somehow we don’t think Rafa will be interested in the former Sunderland player.
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
10 comments so far
jayphoto
May 15, 2017 at 2:41 PM
Comment #1agents are going to leak our interest in every player and their dog this summer. With Newcastle its pretty easy to worm out the fake stories. Over 28 is usually a decent indication.
Newcastle usually sign players that are scouted for a few windows.. I’d believe interest In Boudebouz, Jay Rodriguez, Andre Gray, Abdennour, Veltman, tielemans, appiah , Pires etc because we’ve obviously scouted those players many times.
Similarly in his career rafa has a habit of signing players where his contacts go right into their youth careers, notably players that come through castilla or barcas academy like callejon, Jese, Sandro etc
These left field players like bardsley, shawcross, Terry, Rooney just smacks of agents talking up prospects
ronaldo aarons
May 15, 2017 at 2:42 PM
Comment #2Ancient previous thread
That and also the fact you said Anita will want a four year deal and other clubs will be offering this. That’s all I called you out on as there’s no suggestion of this anywhere from Anita’s side or of any interested clubs if there are any.
NUFCadon
May 15, 2017 at 2:42 PM
Comment #3“It looks like Rafa will not be picking up the option on Christian Atsu so that tells us he wants to bring in only top players in this summer.”
Is this true, I thought we were trying to buy him?
cyprus
May 15, 2017 at 2:44 PM
Comment #4Signing people on a free isn’t a bad move and this player has had to defend a lot 🙂 Don’t know much about him, only remember he’s tough and battles.
Not sure what Rafa is looking for… It was said last year’s team was built to win the championship and not be a PL contender. Not sure I get that as good footballers are exactly that and should be able to perform anywhere, really.
Will he be building now a battling team which can survive the league, if the above logic applies? Or will he go full throttle, for a team that can actually compete?
In my mind, the latter is the only choice.
ronaldo aarons
May 15, 2017 at 2:44 PM
Comment #5Nufc
Sky sports have reported today that we’re in talks to buy him for £6.2 million.
Munster Mag
May 15, 2017 at 2:49 PM
Comment #6That’s a shocker of an advert/logo. Jesus wept.
hibbit
May 15, 2017 at 2:51 PM
Comment #7well that’s good news Ed
not signing Bardsley is a big plus
Munster Mag
May 15, 2017 at 2:51 PM
Comment #8Bardsley, no thanks very much
Wayayman
May 15, 2017 at 3:08 PM
Comment #9@rolando from previous post.
Sorry I missed your question re my Atsu comment. I said he’s not good enough as a modern premier league footballer meaning that he just isn’t consistent enough. He looked class in the ACON but didn’t do much for Bournemouth last season in the PL. This season he’s looked brilliant for one game and then invisible for the next three. Rafa demands consistent performance levels from his teams, and that they work hard when the ball is in back with the opposition. Not sure he’s going to raise his game enough to make him a first team regular the way Ritchie is. He just doesn’t have the same work ethic or tenacity
Average_Contents
May 15, 2017 at 4:03 PM
Comment #10I know the threads moved on but, er….no.
A big fat one.